Peyton Manning (18) of the Denver Broncos warms up before the game. The Denver Broncos played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round Playoff Game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Jan. 17, 2016. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)
Manning vs.
ton Manning, Tom Brady have met five times in the playoffs -- more than any two QBs in NFL history
Now a lot of kids have a dream. They want to be like Peyton Manning, many of whom are named after him in Indiana and Colorado. He makes the imagination run wild. For 17 years, Manning has broken every meaningful NFL passing record. He threw for 55 touchdowns in 2013.
His legacy of greatness remains breathtaking — except by comparison to one man. For the past 15 years, Peyton Manning andTom Brady have intersected in arguably the NFL's most meaningful moments. They have played 16 times. Manning owns five victories, Brady 11.
In the past, when both were at their zenith, Sunday would be billed as the War of 1812. This AFC championship game has taken on a different narrative, a nod to Denver's top-ranked defense and suddenly prolific running game.
It is the AFC championship with a Super Bowl berth at stake. But when it comes to Manning and Brady, it feels like a last dance.
"All I can say about Tom Brady is he plays the position the way it's supposed to be played," Manning said. "He's extremely talented. He's a very hard worker, very competitive guy and he just plays the position the right way. When you do that, there's a reason you play for a long time and play well for a long time. There have been a lot of different players that have played in 16 of those games, but as the quarterback, it's always been a great honor and privilege to have competed against him that many times over the course of the past 16, 17 years."Brady views Manning with mutual respect, reflecting how they are more alike than different. First man at practice, last to leave. High football IQ.
"Just his consistency, the durability, his ability to always seem to come through," Brady said on what he admires about Manning. "He's just been an incredible player, and incredible leader for his team."
Five NFL playoff meetings for Peyton Manning, Tom Brady
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Sign up to receive news alerts and a daily roundup of all things Colorado sports delivered to your inbox.elps the rivalry that they have made a habit of meeting when it matters most, five times in the playoffs, more than any two quarterbacks in NFL history. Sunday marks the fourth time in the conference title game. Manning is 2-1. Consider that John Elway and Dan Marino, whose careers paralleled, played only three times and only once in the postseason.
It strains the imagination to believe Manning will be in this position again. He is 39 with an uncertain future in Denver given the expected transition to Brock Osweiler. Manning has admitted in recent weeks that the torn plantar fascia in his left foot caused him to reflect. He has made a point to enjoy this week, to soak up the moments on the advice of coach Gary Kubiak
elps the rivalry that they have made a habit of meeting when it matters most, five times in the playoffs, more than any two quarterbacks in NFL history. Sunday marks the fourth time in the conference title game. Manning is 2-1. Consider that John Elway and Dan Marino, whose careers paralleled, played only three times and only once in the postseason.
It strains the imagination to believe Manning will be in this position again. He is 39 with an uncertain future in Denver given the expected transition to Brock Osweiler. Manning has admitted in recent weeks that the torn plantar fascia in his left foot caused him to reflect. He has made a point to enjoy this week, to soak up the moments on the advice of coach Gary Kubiak.
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